Multiple missile cartridge



May 5, 1964 G. H. FREED MULTIPLE MISSILE CARTRIDGE Filed July 31, 1963 IN VENTOR. 5504 65 AV/fz-v "game within a practical range.

United States Patent 3,131,634 MULTIPLE MISSILE CARTRIDGE George H. Freed, Changebrirlge Road, Pine Brook, NJ. Filed July 31, 1963, Ser. No. 298,884 Claims. (Cl. 192-42) This invention relates to multiple missile cartridges for firearms, and more particularly to the load of missiles therein contained.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 166,73 8, filed January 10, 1962, now abandoned.

Although the invention was achieved in connection with ellecting an improvement of buckshot cartridges or shells for shotgun use, and therefore its presently preferred embodiments will be described in connection with such cartridges, it will be understood that the invention may be applicable to multiple missile cartridges of a variety of types, including those for handgun use.

Conventional multiple missile type cartridges, such as buckshot shells, contain a plurality of missiles usually of uniform size. Since the advent of high energy smokeless powder for use as a charge, it has been believed that the maximum diameter of any missile in the missile load must not exceed one-half that of the interior of the cartridge casing within which it is contained. For example, were the load to consist of a plurality of missiles each having diameter substantially equal to that of the casing, the load would be impractical for use in most small arms such as a 10- or l2-gauge shotgun for the reason that an excess sively large powder charge would be required to propel the load. That is, it would be required that the gun have abnormally heavy construction to withstand the explosion of such enlarged powder, charge, and it is highly doubtful that an individual would be able to handle the weapon as a practical matter. Conceding thisimpracticabili-ty, it was thought that a load of relatively large size missiles would be effective only if the load were evenly balanced by having all of the missiles of equal diameter. Thus, for example, in a 12-gauge shotgun it was thought that No. 3-0 buckshot was the largest missile size which could be used since the diameter of such shot is approximately equal to one-half the inside diameter of the cartridge casing. Thus, the load would be evenly balanced by placing the missiles in transverse rows of two each, the rows extending in cross-cross fashion with respect to each other throughout the length of the missile receiving chamber. Alternatively, each row of missiles might contain three No. 00 buckshot, the diameter of this size shot being such as to permit the three missiles to lie within the same transverse plane of the casing.

However, although cartridges so loaded with either No. 3-0 or No. 00 buckshot afford safety when hunting in settled communities as is required by the law of some States, buckshot of such size is incapable of killing large Missiles of such size have relatively low penetration capability at usual ranges for large game, and are sometimes found to be too light in weight such that they are easily deflected by foliage or the like. Moreover, and because of their poor penetrating power at suitable ranges, such missiles often cause inhumane wounding and painful death of the animal.

Thus there exists a need for a buckshot cartridge having a load of greater killing power for use on large game such as deer, yet which will not have a dangerously long flight range which would be unsuitable for use in settled areas. Moreover, although the load must have increased killing power, it should not require any substantial increase in the energy of the powder charge over that which is required by the largest buckshot loads in present use so that cartridge is capable of safe use in existing firearms.

The present invention provides a cartridge having all 3,l3l,534 Patented May 5, 1964 of such improved characteristics. Tests show that the cartridge provided by the present invention discharges a load at substantially the same velocity as that of conventional large missile loads, while greatly increasing the striking energy and penetrating power of the missile load on the target.

Briefly describing the invention in its preferred embodiment, the conventional missile receiving chamber of a buckshot cartridge is loaded with a plurality of relatively large missiles each of which has diameter greater than one-half that of the inside of the chamber, and a corresponding plurality of smaller missiles each having diameter substantially equal to the difference between the inside diameter of the chamber and the diameter of the large missiles. .Each smaller missile is paired with one of the larger to form what is referred to herein as a missile row, and the thus formed plurality of missile rows completely fill the chamber. In loading the missile chamber, the large and small missiles are alternately dropped into the casing from the open muzzle end of the chamber, and it will be seen that the missile rows may be disposed in criss-cross relation with respect to each other or, as in an alternative embodiment, the missile rows may be in longitudinal alignment throughout the length of the missile chamber.

In a modified form of the invention, a wad of solidtype cartridge-filler material, such as compressed cardboard, cork, felt, or the like, is substituted for each of the smaller size missiles. Thus any missile row in accord ance with this embodiment is formed by a relatively large missile having diameter which is greater than onehalf that of the interior of the missile chamber and a wad of filler material of size such as to occupy the remaining space between the missile and the opposite interior wall portion of the casing.

The relative size relationship between the respective diameters of the large and small missiles, or between the diameter of a large missile and the size of the filler wad, is preferably such that all of the large missiles in the chamber are supported longitudinally by contact with the smaller missile, or filler wad, in the next adjacent row thereof. I

The plurality of missile rows are retained within the missile chamber by a suitable closure or the like at the muzzle end thereof, in any conventional manner.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description thereof, when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of a multiple missile buckshot cartridge in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional end view as seen from lines 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view showing an alternative missile arrangement in the cartridge;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional end view as seen from lines 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of a multiple missile buckshot cartridge in accordance with a modified form of the invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective showing of one of the filler wads of the FIGURE 5 embodiment.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the invention is shown as incorporated in a shotgun cartridge which is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The cartridge 10 is formed from a tubular casing 11 of cardboard, plastic, or other usual material, and is longitudinally divided by one or more molded wadding inserts 12 into a powder chamber 13 and a missile receiving chamber 14, as is conventional.

The powder chamber 13 is enclosed by the usual brass or similar base 15, which includes the usual primer assembly, the latter being only generally indicated by reference numeral 16. A closure 17, of cardboard wadding or the like, is held in place by the inwardly turned end 11a of the tubular casing 11. Thus, the missile chamber 14 in the preferred embodiment is ultimatelyclosed at the other, or muzzle end 1111 of the cartridge so that the contained plurality of missiles, as will be described, are retained in place.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, the missiles within the chamber 14 are of two sizes. The large missiles 18 each have diameter which is greater than one-half the inside diameter of the missile chamber 14, while the smaller missiles 19 each have diameter which is substantially equal to the difference between the inside diameter of the chamber 14 and the diameter of the large missiles 18. Thus, as will be understood from the drawings, one of the large missiles 18 and one of the smaller missiles 19 forms a missile row extending transversely of the chamber 14, the two missiles being in contact with each other and together extending across the diameter of the interior of the chamber so that the smaller missile 19 braces or props the large missile 18 in its position on one side of the missile chamber. For example, the diameter of a 12-gauge cartridge is such that one No. 4-0 buckshot and one No. buckshot appropriately form one of the referred to missile rows. However, it has also been found that Nos. 5-0, 6-0, 7-0 and 8-0 buckshot are suitable for use as the larger missiles 18, the size of the smaller missiles 19 being varied commensurately.

Considering the cartridge 1d of FIGURES 1 and 2 as being stood upright on its base 15, the missile cham ber 14 is loaded by alternately dropping the large and small missiles into the chamber until the same is filled, whereupon the closure 17 is placed thereon and the muzzle end of the tubular casing is turned inwardly as at 11a. The first row of missiles lies against the molded wadding 12 which forms a bottom wall 14a of the missile chamber 14, and it will be understood that the missile rows are arranged in what may be termed criss-cross relation with respect to each other throughout the length of the missile chamber. That is, the side location of contact 1417 of any of the large missiles 18 (see FIGURE 2) is annularly spaced approximately ninety (90) degrees'with respect to the side location of contact 14b of the large missile 13 of the missile row to which it is adjacent.

It will be seen from FIGURES 1 and 2 that as the two missiles 18, 1? in any succeeding row are dropped into the missile chamber from the muzzle end of the chamber, they tend to seat within the interstices between the missiles of the next preceding row so that the rows somewhat overlap in the longitudinal direction in a natural manner. The amount of molded wadding 12 which is used in the cartridge is varied in accordance with the number of rows of missiles which are contained within the missile chamber so that, when the muzzle end closure 17 is in place, the load of missiles is held firmly, as is conventional. Of course, any suitable number of missile rows, usually depending upon the size of the shot, may be included in the arrangement.

Thus, it will be understood that each of the missiles within the chamber is braced in longitudinal direction by contact with one or both of the missiles in respectively adjacent rows thereof. Moreover, and where four missile rows are included, it will be noted that the missile arrangement of FIGURES 1 and 2 provides approximately uniform weight distribution of the larger missiles 18 by their disposition within each quadrant of the periphery of the casing as they lie in longitudinal sequence throughout the length of the chamber.

Referring now to an alternative missile arrangement as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the cartridge 10 contains a plurality of rows of similar proportionately large and small missiles 20 and 21. The large missiles 2% each have diameter which is larger than one-half the inside diameter of the missile chamber 14. However, the smaller missiles 21 have diameter which is exactly equal to, or just slightly greater than the difference between the diameter of the chamber interior and the diameter of the larger missiles 20 so that the missiles 20 and 21 in any row thereof fit firmly into the chamber 14, the smaller serving as a prop for the larger. Being so fitted within the chamber 14, the missiles 2t) and 21 may produce a slight bulge of the cartridge casing 11, as indicated by reference numeral but such bulge will not interfere with the performance of the cartridge either upon loading the same in a shotgun, or upon discharge thereof.

As best understood from FIGURE 4, each of the missile rows is in longitudinal alignment with respect to the next preceding missile row throughout the length of the chamber 14, and the side locations of contact 14b of any of the large missiles 20 (see FIGURE 3) is annularly spaced one-hundred-eighty degrees with respect to the side location of contact 14b of the large missile 20 of the missile row to which it is adjacent. Moreover, the size relationship between the diameter of the large missiles 20 andthat of the smaller missiles 21 is such that'each smaller missile 21 is in contact with the respective large missiles to which it is adjacent, thereby affording bracing of the latter in the longitudinal direction as in the previously described arrangement.

It will be noted from FIGURE 4 that the missiles, when so lying, leave a uniform space on either side of the missile column throughout the length of the missile chamber 14.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGURE 5, the missiles 22, each of which has diameter larger than one-half the inside diameter of the missile chamber 14, are braced within and against alternately opposite sides of the chamber by filler wads 23, 24 of compressed cardboard, cork, felt, or other soiid-type cartridge-filler material. A perspective showing of a filler wad 23 is provided by FIGURE 6, wherein it is seen that the wad preferably has the shape of the cylindrical sector of the chamber 14 which it is intended to occupy, one edge thereof, as indicated by reference numeral 25, being cut away in conformance with the shape of the missile 22 with which it will be in contact in the manner shown by FIGURE 5. The filler wads 23 have length which is equal to the longitudinal distance between the respective missiles 22 as shown, so as to be in contact therewith to brace the same in longitudinal direction. The length of the respective filler wads 24 is such as to provide similar bracing of the penultimate missile 22 at each end of the chamber with respect to the chamber bottom wall 14a and the closure 17, as shown.

Initially, such compacted filler wads 23, 24 may be flat on their surfaces which face in longitudinal direction within the chamber 14 whereupon, after loading the chamber 14 with the missiles and wads, the respective of these surfaces may be compacted, as indicated by reference numeral 26, in the localized area thereof which is contacted by an adjacent missile 22. However, it ap pears not to be necessary that the filler wads 23 or 24 be of such Well-defined configuration, it being only necessary that the wadding be adequate to firmly support the missiles 22 within the chamber 14.

Moreover, it is not necessary that the missiles 22 be in longitudinal alignment with each other throughout the length of the chamber.

Although the reasons for the improved performance of cartridges in accordance with the present invention are not actually known, it is believed that upon discharge of the cartridge the smaller missiles 19 or 21, or the alternative filler wadding 23, 24, prevent wedging action between the larger missiles at the time of discharge of the cartridge and while traveling through the gun barrel. In addition, the missiles in the shot string will be under more nearly equal and constant pressure, both at the time of discharge of the cartridge and during the time of their travel through the gun barrel, perhaps due to the longitudinal bracing relationship between the missiles, as aforesaid. Thus, the missiles 18, 20, or 22 retain their spherical shape to a greater degree than otherwise and therefore have a better trajectory in flight. It is also thought that the smaller missiles or the filler wadding, as the case may be, serve as props between the larger missiles during their course of travel through the gun barrel, whereupon their emerging pattern is more definitely determined.

Thus has been described a multiple missile cartridge which achieves all of the objects of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A multiple missile cartridge comprising a casing defining a hollow cylindrical missile chamber, and a missile row within and extending across the inside diameter of said chamber, said missile row comprising a large spherical missile and a missile prop separate from but in contact engagement with said spherical missile, said spherical missile having diameter which is substantially greater than one-half but substantially less than the full inside diameter of said chamber and being substantially in contact with the interior surface of said chamber at one side thereof, and said missile prop having width as measured in the direction of said inside diameter of the chamber which is substantially equal to the difference between said inside diameter of the chamber and said diameter of the spherical missile, said missile prop being disposed between said spherical missile and the opposite side of said chamber and being of hard material such as to substantially brace said large spherical missile in its said position.

2. A multiple missile cartridge according to claim 1 wherein said missile prop comprises a second spherical missile having diameter substantially equal to the difference between said inside diameter of the chamber and said diameter of the large spherical missile.

3. A multiple missile cartridge according to claim 1 wherein said missile prop comprises a wad of solid-type cartridge-filler material.

4. A multiple missile cartridge comprising a casing defining a hollow cylindrical missile chamber having a muzzle end, means defining a bottom wall of said chamber longitudinally spaced from said muzzle end, and a plurality of missile rows within and occupying substantially the length of said chamber between said bottom wall and said muzzle end, said missile rows each being substantially in contact with its next adjacent missile row,

reach of said missile rows extending across the inside diameter of said chamber and comprising a large spherical missile and a missile prop separate from but in contact engagement with said large spherical missile, each said large spherical missile having diameter which is substantially greater than one-half but substantially less than the full inside diameter of said chamber and being substantially in contact with the interior surface of said chamber at a side location thereof, and each said missileprop having width as measured in the direction of said inside diameter of the chamber which is substantially equal to the difierence between said inside diameter of the chamber and said diameter of the spherical missile and being disposed between said large spherical missile with which it is associated and an opposite side location of said chamber, each said missile prop being of hard material such as to substantially brace its said associated large spherical missile in its said position, and each said side location of contact of said large spherical missiles being degrees from said side location of contact of said large spherical missile of the next adjacent missile row.

6. A multiple missile cartridge according to claim 4 wherein each said side location of contact of said large spherical missiles is annularly spaced substantially onehundred-eighty degrees from said side location of contact of said large spherical missile of the next adjacent missile row, said diameter of the large spherical missile in each missile row and said width of its said associated missile prop being such that each said missile row is in pressure contact engagement with said interior surface of the chamber at its said side and opposite locations of contact therewith whereby each said missile row is firmly held in its said position.

7. A multiple missile cartridge according to claim 6 wherein each of said missile props has length in longitudinal direction with respect to said chamber such as to be substantially in contact engagement with each said large spherical missile which is adjacent thereto to thereby substantially brace all of said missile rows in said longitudinal direction, said missile prop of that missile row which is adjacent said bottom wall of the chamber being substantially in contact engagement with said bottom wall.

8. A multiple missile cartridge comprising a casing defining a hollow cylindrical missile chamber having a muzzle end, means defining a bottom wall of said chamber longitudinally spaced from said muzzle end, and a plurality of missile rows within and occupying substantially the length of said chamber between said bottom wall and said muzzle end, said missile rows each being substantially in contact with its next adjacent missile row, each of said missile rows extending across the inside diameter of said chamber and comprising a large spherical missile and a smaller spherical missile in contact engagement with said large spherical missile, each said large spherical missile having diameter which issubstantially greater than one-half but substantially less than the full inside diameter of said chamber and being substantially in contact with the interior surface of said chamber at a side location thereof, and eachsaid smaller spherical missile having diameter which is substantially equal to the diiference between said inside diameter of the chamber and said diameter of the large spherical missile with which it is associated and an opposite side location of said chamber, each said side location of contact of said large spherical missiles being annularly spaced from said side location of contact of said large missile of the next adjacent missile row, and missile retention means at said muzzle end of the chamber.

9. A multiple missile cartridge according to claim 8 wherein each said missile row is disposed in criss-cross relation with respect to its next adjacent missile row.

10. A multiple missile cartridge according to claim 8 wherein said large and smaller missiles of each said missile row are situated on diametrically opposite sides of said chamber with respect to the respective large and smaller missiles of each next adjacent missile row, the said diameters of said large and smaller missiles of each row being proportioned one with respect to the other such that each of said smaller missiles is substantially in contact engagement with said large missile of any missile row to which said smaller missile is adjacent.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 17,287 Lindner May 12, 1857 41,590 Allen Feb. 16, 1864 2,582,125 7 Holmes Jan. 8, 1952 2,759,420 Schultz Aug. 21, 1956 2,820,412 Beeuwkes et al. Ian. 21, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 6,184 Germany Jan. 19, 1879 

1. A MULTIPLE MISSILE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A CASING DEFINING A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL MISSILE CHAMBER, AND A MISSILE ROW WITHIN AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID CHAMBER, SAID MISSILE ROW COMPRISING A LARGE SPHERICAL MISSILE AND A MISSILE PROP SEPARATE FROM BUT IN CONTACT ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SPHERICAL MISSILE, SAID SPHERICAL MISSILE HAVING DIAMETER WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN ONE-HALF BUT SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE FULL INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID CHAMBER AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY IN CONTACT WITH THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID CHAMBER AT ONE SIDE THEREOF, AND SAID MISSILE PROP HAVING WIDTH AS MEASURED IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE CHAMBER WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAID INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE CHAMBER AND SAID DIAMETER OF THE SPHERICAL MISSILE, SAID MISSILE PROP BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SPHERICAL MISSILE AND THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID CHAMBER AND BEING OF HARD MATERIAL SUCH AS TO SUBSTANTIALLY BRACE SAID LARGE SPHERICAL MISSILE IN ITS SAID POSITION. 